It was late in 1918 and early in 1919 that the four founding clubs of the Pacific Northwest District were formed. Tacoma, Portland, Seattle and Vancouver became the base of what has grown in a fellowship of about 440 active clubs and some 15,500 members.
By the June 1920 International convention in Portland, the District had more than doubled in size, adding Astoria&Eugene, OR, New Westminster and Victoria, B.C., and Aberdeen, WA. It was changed from "We Trade" to " We Build", and so remains unto this day.
Representatives of the original four clubs met in Tacoma on January 17 and formed what we now know as the Pacific Northwest District. It spans two countries and over 1.3 millon square miles.
The clubs of British Columbia became a part of this district, rather than of Western Canada because they, joining with the clubs of Washington and Oregon founded the Pacific Northwest District. The clubs of the Idaho Panhandle associated with us in 1925, and in 1950, Alaska and the Yukon territory officially became a part of the district.
It was in 1939 that the Kiwanis Club of Pullman, WA purchased a home in which 26 young men lived for $26 dollars a month. Named the "Circle K House", the college-age venture was later adopted by Kiwanis International and has grown to be the largest college service in the world with over 12,000 members on 800 campuses.
The war years of the forties brought reduced Kiwanis involvement due to other commitments. However, 1947 saw the greatest surge in new clubs in our District's history. Thirty-five new clubs were organized under the leadership of the late Past Governer Don Engdahl. Don later went on to serve as Kiwanis International President.
The first clubs in Alaska were chartered in Fairbanks and Anchorage in 1946.
The 1950s were years of rebuilding in our nation, as well as Kiwanis. 73 new clubs came in the District beside annexing the five Alaska-Yukon clubs, and clubs from the northern tip of California came under our wing through an informal adoption for administrative purposes. It was in 1955 that Circle K received International recognition, such as Key Club had in the 1940s.
In 1920 we became the FIRST International District, and today have more clubs in British Columbia than the entire Western Canada District.
In 1939 the Pacific Northwest District formed the first of what developed into Circle K International.
The SKY Clubs (Special Kiwanis Youth) evolved from the 1950s endeavor to serve those with special physical and mental needs. This high school organization continues to be dedicated to this service and meets annually to reinforce their mission.
In 1982, the first Kelawani Women's Service Club was sponsored by Wenatchee Kiwanis. This gave the FIRST opportunity for women to belong in a organized service club--without restriction of membership. The program was adopted by Kiwanis International who renamed it and in 1983 the FIRST Kiwanianne club in all the Kiwanis world was charted in Redmond, WA. In 1991, the Pacific Northwest District reassumed full sponsoring of the Kiwanianne Club.
The Pacific Norhtwest District has always been a leader in Kiwanis, becoming known in the International Perspective as innovators and pioneers. We will continue to lead and serve our communities into the next century as we grow.
Kiwanians have been involved in almost every facet of community service, with all ages benefiting their activities.
Children ....Needs. The Major Emphasis Program is "Young Children, Priority One" aimed at prenatal through 5 years of age.
Many camping experiences are available through Kiwanis, not the least of which is the Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp in Oregon which has been in continual existence since the early 1930's. Camp Wi-Ri-Ki near Camas, WA is provided by area Kiwanians.
From its inception the Miracle Telethon has received generous support of local Kiwanis clubs. The Boyer Clinic in Seattle has long been a Kiwanis interest. The new Kiwanis Bone Marrow transplant unit at Doernbecher Children's Hospital in Portland, OR is a reality because of a Kiwanis vision. Other children's hospitals throughout the region have benefited from Kiwanis endeavors.
A number of British Columbia Kiwanis clubs administer residential developments, an undertaking that has been providing housing for hundreds of low income citizens.
Take a walk on Penticton, BC's beachwalk and pier, and you experience one of Kiwanis' contributions to public enjoyment. The OK Boys' Ranch for troubled youth continues to be a major thrust of the Olympia, WA club.
Many communities have parks and recreational area provided by local Kiwanis clubs.
Involvement in current needs such as hunger relief, drug abuse education and child welfare having been a hallmark of Kiwanian concern.
Services projects are at the option of the individual club, a full gamut of services are rendered by Kiwanis clubs.
For further information, please contact President Larry Baillon,(907)457-2396, FAX (907)456-7329, or come join us for breakfast and meet and talk with the members.
Last Modified:
fyfnet@uaf.edu